(19)
(11) EP 0 896 909 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
14.07.1999 Bulletin 1999/28

(43) Date of publication A2:
17.02.1999 Bulletin 1999/07

(21) Application number: 98121118.8

(22) Date of filing: 20.06.1995
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: B60R 21/16
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE ES FR GB IT SE

(30) Priority: 20.06.1994 US 262747

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
95304283.5 / 0688702

(71) Applicant: SIMULA INC.
Phoenix, AZ 85044 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Castro, Mynor
    Mesa, Arizona 85202 (US)
  • Yaniv, Gershon
    Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 (US)
  • Hardtmann, Dirk J.
    Phoenix, Arizona 85044 (US)
  • Romeo, David J.
    Alpine, Wyoming 83128 (US)

(74) Representative: O'Connell, David Christopher et al
Haseltine Lake & Co., Imperial House, 15-19 Kingsway
London WC2B 6UD
London WC2B 6UD (GB)

 
Remarks:
This application was filed on 091198 as a divisional application to the application mentioned under INID code 62.
 


(54) Inflatable tubular cushions for crash protection of seated automobile occupants


(57) The present invention is a torso protection system having braided tubes that inflate upon side or oblique impact to protect the torso of a seated vehicle occupant. Prior to inflation, the braided tubes are mounted in the undeployed state along both sides of the occupant's seat. When an impact is detected, a gas generator generates, inflating the braided tubes. As the braided tubes inflate, their diameters increase and their lengths decrease substantially. The braided tubes then pull out of their storage locations and form bolsters on either side of the seated occupant. The inflated tubes prevent the torso of the occupant from directly colliding with interior side structures of the vehicle and restrict the lateral motion of the occupant.






Search report